Decisions, decisions, decisions...three of them!
by Bob Hanscom
March 20, 2013 - Not only will the IOC be making the decisions of what city in the world will host the 2020 Summer Olympic Games, as well as which (possibly new) sport will be added to the program, but there will be a third decision...that of who will be the next IOC President!
The election isn’t until September of 2013 - and candidates don’t have to declare until next June. Until that deadline they are not going public with any campaigning. Even then, don't expect a series of presidential debates, as IOC rules prohibit that sort of thing.
Four or more candidates could emerge, with the likely ones being: Thomas Bach, IOC vice president, president of the DOSB, the NOC of Germany; Richard Carrion, chairman of the IOC Finance Commission and president of Puerto Rico’s biggest bank; Rene Fasel, International Ice Hockey Federation president, a Swiss; Ser Miang Ng, member of the Executive Board, from Singapore; Denis Oswald, rowing federation president from Switzerland; Nawal El Moutawakel, IOC vice president from Morocco.
Insiders say that Bach should be considered a favorite, but it’s still too early to predict the outcome. It is said that support will be split initially along continental lines.
What’s expected from the next IOC president? Stability according to IOC members, which they say means continued revenue growth and more support for the NOCs and sports federations. Some say that a serious look at the future of the Youth Olympic Games will have to be made by the new IOC president.
To quote one reporter, "There are no revolutionaries, no flame-throwers among the possible contenders. Discerning policy differences among the candidates may be a nuanced exercise, not just for the public, but also the voting members given the limits on campaigning. For now, it seems a new president may bring a change of style, but not much change to the IOC."
So that leaves two more important decisions to be made by the IOC in May and September. First...which city (Japan, Madrid or Istanbul) will be elected to host the 2020 Summer Games?
As one insider put it, low on the totem pole is the decision of which (possibly new) sport will be recommended and become part of the 2020 Olympic program? The seven bids are: Squash, baseball/softball, climbing, karate, roller sport, wake-board and Wushu, as well as wrestling of course, which is still in the "mix."
So all...what's your prediction of what "The Big Three" IOC decisions will be? Stay tuned, as time will only tell!
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